to a thistle to
find grapes. But let me ask you, Ned, do you usually find that
murderers, drunkards, burglars, thieves, and blackguards in general are
students of the Bible and given to prayer and psalm-singing?"

"Ha! ha! I should rather think not," said Ned, much tickled by the
supposition.

"Then," continued the other, "tell me, honestly, Ned, do you find that
people who read God's Word and sing His praise and ask His blessing on
all they do, are generally bad fathers, and mothers, and masters, and
servants, and children, and that from their ranks come the worst people
in society?"

"Now, look here, Mr missioner," cried Ned, leaping suddenly from the
table, which overturned with a crash, "I'm one o' them fellers that's
not to be floored by a puff o' wind. I can hold my own agin most men
wi' fist or tongue. But I like fair-play in the ring or in argiment. I
have _not_ studied this matter, as you say, an' so I won't speak on it.
But I'll look into it, an' if you come back here this day three weeks
I'll let you know what I think. You may trust me, for when I say a
thing I mean it."

"Will you accept a Testament, then," said the missionary, rising and
pulling one out of his pocket.

"No, I won't," said Ned, "I've got one."

The missionary looked surprised, and hesitated.

"Don't you believe me?" asked Ned, angrily.

"At first I did not," was the reply, "but now that I stand before your
face and look in your eyes I _do_ believe you."

Ned gave a cynical laugh. "You're easy to gull," he said; "why, when it
serves my purpose I can lie like a trooper."

"I know that," returned the visitor, quietly, "but it serves your
purpose to-night to speak the truth. I can see that. May I pray that
God should guide you?"

"Yes, you may, but not here. I'll have no hypocritical goin' down on my
knees till I see my way to it. If I don't see my way to it, I'll let
you know when you come back this day three weeks."

"Well, I'll pray for you in my own room, Ned Frog."

"You may do what you like in your own room. Good-night."

He lifted the trap-door as he spoke, and pointed downward. The
missionary at once descended after a brief "good-night," and a pleasant
nod. Ned just gave him time to get his head out of the way when he let
the trap fall with a clap like thunder, and then began to pace up and
down his little room with his hands in his pockets and his chin on his
breast.

After a short time he went to a cor